Welcome to the “Pannonian Bird Experience!”

… Bird Fair and programme of events for birders and would-be birders
… At the very best time of year, during Spring bird migration!
… An event under the auspices of the Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park
It is the diversity of habitats in Austria’s lowest-lying National Park which attracts so many bird species – and their admirers: the most westerly steppe lake in Europe, surrounded by approx. 180km² of richly structured reedbeds, a 20km long sand embankment separating the lakes from the meadows and pools on the other side, treeless but species-rich pasture-land created by man over the centuries, wet meadows, saline pools and finally the remnants of the Hanság’s low-lying moorland. There is something here to suit each of the roughly 340 bird species which have been recorded in the area.

Our cross-border National Park, established in 1993 and around 300km² in total area, is naturally not the only site within the West Pannonian region for breeding, migrating, resting and overwintering birds: within a short flying distance from the Neusiedler See are low-lying rivers and dense broad-leaved woodlands, dry grassland and loess bluffs – all these occur in the remarkably numerous nature reserves in eastern Austria, western Hungary and the Small Carpathian mountains of Slovakia.

What makes the Neusiedler See natural region so attractive to the international birding fraternity is therefore not just the opportunity to watch and photograph rare bird species at all times of the year, but its proximity to similar or, in species terms, quite different ecosystems. And for this reason the National Parks, nature parks and the active nature conservation organisations of the region are important partners of the Neusiedler See-Seewinkel National Park in the design of the Bird Experience programme of events and in practical nature conservation in general.

18 – 26 April 2015 || 9 daily programmes of events
24 – 26 April 2015 || 3 day Bird Fair

Bird Fair

  • 500m² indoor exhibition space in the National Park Information Centre in Illmitz with exhibitors from the fields of Optics and Nature Photography, Nature Reserves and NGOs, leisure, travel and books, outdoor clothing and equipment
  • Optics Marquee beside Illmitz’s Zicklacke – a unique opportunity to test and compare optical and camera products!
  • Lectures on topical themes in bird conservation and birdwatching
  • Live bird-ringing! Hourly talks and live ringing demonstrations
  • Bird Experience-the next generation – the BEX programme of events for children

Programme of Events

  • Excursions: There will be several excursions each day into the National Park and adjacent areas, as far as Hungary and Slovakia
  • Workshops on nature photography techniques by professional photographers, for both beginners and advanced students
  • Evenings in the Pub: Finish the day on a high note with a pleasant and informative evening